Footage of the shocking moment a van driver ploughed into a motorcyclist in a hit-and-run has been released to KentOnline.
The victim, Mark White from Tenterden, says the crash “changed my life completely” and that he continues to experience pain from his injuries years later.
Captured by dashcam in a vehicle travelling along the A249 southbound carriageway near Stockbury on May 13, 2023, the video shows Mr White riding ahead in the outside lane when he is struck by the Renault Master vehicle.
Its driver, pensioner Anthony Gilham, had ignored road signage and markings to illegally cross the northbound side of the busy road and onto a slip road reserved for traffic travelling in the opposite direction before pulling out into the biker’s path.
Then, having forced the experienced rider off his BMW S1000 and into a roadside ditch, Gilham simply drove off, leaving crash debris in his trail and other drivers to pull over and help the stricken Mr White who had suffered multiple fractures to his ribs, spine and shoulder.
It was not until seven days later that officers, aware of the incident, spotted the damaged van near Swanley with Gilham, who is the father of British motorsports racing driver Tony Gilham, at the wheel.
But Maidstone Crown Court heard that rather than come clean, the meat trader lied that his vehicle had been hit while in a works yard.
Then, when challenged about that account, he admitted to being in a collision on the A249 but said he believed it involved a Range Rover.
Gilham, of Wansbury Way, Swanley, subsequently pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop and failing to report an accident.
But when the married grandfather appeared in court earlier this month to learn his fate, he was told by Judge Oliver Saxby KC that if it had not been for the alertness of the police officers who spotted his van, he may have gotten away with what he had done.
Furthermore, the judge told 70-year-old Gilham he could have killed Mr White.
The footage of the horror crash, played in court and released by Kent Police this week together with a custody image of Gilham, begins with Mr White overtaking the driver whose vehicle is fitted with the dashcam.
It was mid-afternoon on a bright, dry day and, despite riding at an estimated 50mph in a 70mph limit, the biker could not avoid being hit just seconds later.
One witness later told police the van driver had shown such inattention as he pulled out that they thought he had collided with the motorcyclist on purpose.
The court heard there was no evidence to support that account but, while other motorists stopped to help Mr White and call the emergency services, Gilham continued on his way, ignoring a lay-by into which he could have pulled over.
It was later discovered that he had been trying to get to his son’s commercial unit near the Detling Showground with his van-load of meat products he had bought that morning.
Having driven from West Kingsdown along the M20, he found the A249 exit closed due to roadworks, so headed back to the A229 Blue Bell Hill junction and drove northbound to join the M2.
However, once on the motorway, he again found the junction onto the A249 to be shut and so followed a route that took him along country lanes.
The court was told that having driven down Chalky Road, he reached the northbound carriageway, where signage indicated to turn left.
Had he done so, he could have driven up to the Stockbury roundabout and doubled back onto the southbound side.
But instead, he took his dangerous “short cut” – and with devastating consequences.
This week, Mr White told KentOnline: “To this day I cannot figure out why Mr Gilham caused such a horrific accident and just drove away like nothing had happened, not knowing if I was dead or alive.
“I have spent the past two-and-a-half years attending hospital appointments and still to this day have more appointments to attend.
“The accident has changed my life completely. I still suffer with a lot of pain in my knees shoulder and chest, which I feel will be one of those things I will have to live with.”
The 53-year-old explained he was previously a “very confident” rider, but this had been taken away from him as he now feels nervous when he sees a car waiting to join a carriageway.
Addressing his passion for biker safety, he said: “I would urge all drivers to take a second look and make sure the path is clear before making a move – ‘Look twice and save a life’.”
Mr White suffered nine broken ribs, a collapsed lung, fractures to his spine and right shoulder, and extensive bruising to his chest, right hip and leg.
He spent eight days in London’s King’s College Hospital and then underwent a significant period of rehabilitation.
The court heard the crash not only impacted the company director physically, mentally and financially, but also his love of motorcycling, something he described as being his “great enjoyment” in life.
One particular consequence was having to cancel a planned and paid-for trip to watch the Isle of Man TT for the first time.
More than two years on, Mr White, who described himself as being “fit, active and hard-working” prior to the collision, was said to be still recovering.
In a statement read to the court, he said he had “questioned so many times” how such a serious collision occurred and how the van driver “fled the scene as if nothing had happened”.
He also spoke of being haunted by the “loud bang” of the moment he was hit, being diagnosed with post-traumatic arthritis in his knees and shoulder, and having to attend regular hospital appointments.
Through his lawyer, Gilham apologised to the victim at the sentencing hearing, and the court was urged to suspend any jail term imposed.
But Judge Saxby decided appropriate punishment could only be met by immediate custody having considered what he said was “the high level of danger” created by his driving across the carriageway and then his failure to stop.
Gilham was jailed for 22 months and banned from driving for four years and 11 months.
Although the court was told he has not driven since the collision and has no wish to do so in the future, he was ordered to take an extended test to regain his licence.
The offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
